We we quickly approach the USITT Annual Conference & Stage Expo, March 18–21 in Long Beach, CA, we are excited to announce and formally recognize a lasting contribution to Conference with the naming of The Betty Blyholder National Poster Gallery.
According to USITT records, longtime Member, educator, and costume technician Betty Blyholder first proposed the idea of poster sessions to the Costume Commission around 1996. Inspired by professional conferences attended by her husband, George Blyholder, she saw an opportunity to bring a format widely used in the scientific community into the theatre technology field. With the commission’s support, the first poster session debuted at the 1997 conference with nine costume-focused posters presented.
The format quickly proved valuable. Poster Sessions created a space for members to share practical insights, innovations, and research with peers across the industry while also offering academically based members an additional form of scholarly “publication” that could support professional advancement and help secure institutional funding to attend the Conference.
As the program grew and evolved, additional commissions adopted poster sessions, it became known as the USITT Digital National Poster Sessions. Since Blyholder’s original idea was enacted, more than 400 posters have been shared with the USITT community.
In recognition of this significant contribution, and through Blyholder’s generosity in supporting the program, the Institute will now present the poster sessions each year as The Betty Blyholder National Poster Gallery at the Annual Conference & Stage Expo.
“Betty saw a need in our industry to show ‘publication’ of research and innovation in a different and creative way,” said USITT Executive Director Laura Lee Everett. “How wonderful that 30 years on, it is a vibrant and essential part of USITT’s commitment to members sharing their learning. I am honored that Betty chose to endow this program with her generosity in naming The Betty Blyholder National Poster Gallery, ensuring this important program continues well into the future.”
The gallery continues to showcase work across disciplines including architecture, costume design and technology, digital media, education, engineering, lighting, management, safety and health, scenic design and technology, sound design and technology, and technical production. For USITT26, poster topics include Building Basics (rethinking core concepts or practices), Material Movement (exploring materials and mediums in new ways), and Processed Processes (new or improved processes or protocols).
Attendees in Long Beach will be able to explore this year’s posters as part of the newly named gallery and continue the tradition of sharing knowledge that began with Betty Blyholder’s idea nearly three decades ago.
To learn more about The Betty Blyholder National Poster Gallery click here.
More News
.avif)
.png)
Support USITT
For many 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, USITT included, donations are a lifeline. We are able to continue to expand our online offerings to our Members and to our industry thanks to Membership dollars and the generosity of our donors.